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Begin New Search Political Geography Asia-Pacific Author Marjorie Pajaron

1. Weathering the Storm: Weather Shocks and International Migrants from the Philippines

Author:
Marjorie Pajaron
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Abstract:
The growing literature on environmental migration presents conflicting results. While some find that natural disasters induce international migration, others discover a dampening effect. We aim to reconcile these differences by using a comprehensive list of weather shocks from the Philippines, a country prone to natural disasters and a major exporter of labor. We constructed a longitudinal provincial dataset (2005–2015) from an assemblage of administrative and survey datasets and tested linear, quadratic, and lagged models. Our fixed-effects results are consistent with both strands in the literature with caveats. First, Filipinos are more likely to work abroad when they experience less-intense tropical cyclones and storm warning signal but are more likely to stay with a more damaging storm warning signal. Second, differential effects of weather shocks on international migration contingent on agriculture exists. Third, non-environmental factors such as economic (unemployment rate) and infrastructure (number of high schools) also push Filipinos abroad.
Topic:
Agriculture, Environment, Migration, Natural Disasters, and Weather
Political Geography:
Philippines and Asia-Pacific

2. The Impact of Energy Access on Mothers’ Health, Labor, and Time Allocation

Author:
Marjorie Pajaron
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Abstract:
This paper shows that, for mothers in Cebu, Philippines, access to electricity and the type of cooking fuel used at home affect both health outcomes and also how time is allocated, including for paid work. First, the use of fuelwood for cooking adversely affects the health of mothers, who are traditionally responsible for cooking and are often at home, taking care of their families. This result is consistent across different econometric specifications. Second, shifting to a more efficient source of energy allows women more time to be engaged in the labor force, including in micro enterprises. It also enables them to reallocate their time and efforts away from household chores (cooking, tending animals, and childcare) toward caring for themselves (improved personal hygiene and rest). Drafting and strengthening existing gender-sensitive energy policies and programs can, therefore, help the welfare of mothers in the Philippines, where 54% of households rely on fuelwood, and where the resulting indoor air pollution has a particularly adverse impact on women.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Health, and Birthing
Political Geography:
Philippines and Asia-Pacific

3. The Impact of Adolescents’ Risky Health Behaviors on Their Later Economic Outcomes

Author:
Marjorie Pajaron
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Abstract:
Risky health behaviors such as illicit drug use, smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, violence, and early sexual activity have contemporaneous and intertemporal adverse health and economic outcomes. The health-related and economic costs to individuals and to society overall are particularly pronounced when adolescents are the ones engaging in one or more of such behaviors. This paper uses longitudinal data from the Philippines (from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey) to examine the long-term impact of adolescents’ risky behaviors in 2002 (related to sex, tobacco, alcohol, and violence, but not drugs) on their economic outcomes in 2009 (related to participation in the labor force, educational attainment, and family formation). The results reveal that risky behaviors are most likely to affect educational outcomes. Teenagers who smoked at least one cigarette a day were 21% less likely to be in college several years later, and this difference was 17% for those who had an early sexual initiation, and 7% for those who consumed alcohol at least once a week. Labor outcomes were also adversely affected.
Topic:
Health, Labor Issues, Behavior, Socioeconomics, and Risk Factors
Political Geography:
Philippines and Asia-Pacific